THIS MEETING OF THE BOARD OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND ELECTIONS OF PICKENS COUNTY WAS HELD PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND ALL REQUIRED NOTIFICATIONS WERE MADE.

Sheree Chapman called this special meeting with a welcome and Call to Order.

Herbert Thompson provided the Invocation.

Public Comment Period:
Dr. Eleanor Hare, representing the Clemson League of Woman Voters, spoke about the importance of public outreach and voter registration/photo identification drives, especially given the driving distance for some voters to get to our office. Dr. Hare thanked our staff for participating in the voter registration/photo identification drives at Clemson Downs and the Abel Baptist Church on June 1st.

Motion period for Old and New Business:

Old Business: Discussion of the draft letter to County Council regarding 2016 Fiscal Year Funding

Gretchen Campbell requested a recap on why this letter was drafted.

Director Allen stated there were 6 election days (4 countywide) in the 2016 Fiscal Year. With $25,000 funding for 2014 and 2015, $30,000 had been requested for 2016. $17,500 was appropriated in the 2016 Fiscal Year Budget that received for the first and second reading. This is a cut in funding by 30% and is 42% less than what was requested for 2016. Councilman Crenshaw was contacted by email and regular mail, as was Senator Larry Martin and Marci Andino of the State Election Commission.

It was also stated that there is a new law whereby the State Election Commission is required to step in and supervise elections if a County cannot. Also, due to same law, Board Members can no longer volunteer to complete office tasks.

The County is fully reimbursed for conducting municipal elections, including temporary employee pay and overtime spent. The State does not reimburse for temporary employee pay or overtime.

It was also reported to the Board that Dr. Eleanor Hare and Ralph Guarino had been in conversation by email as to why this funding request had been reduced.

Due to Pickens County having the smallest number of fulltime staff compared to registered voters in the state provided even more reasons to address this request. In 2012 Mr. Allen was working 60 – 80 hours each week for four to five weeks prior to each election. His physician provided a letter to Commissioner June Bowers stating that he could suffer severe health risks if continued to work that many hours. At that time the County Administrator was contacted and arrangements were made to reduce his hours. Temporary budget was subsequently bumped to the $25,000 a year.

Mr. Allen continues to work long hours to get the job done. Not a healthy situation. The Board warned the Director not to try to supplement the office staff and work only normal operating hours.

Gretchen Campbell drafted an additional paragraph that added a few more details on “why” we were submitting this letter along with a conclusion that stated that legal liabilities for the County if our temporary budget did not allow us the manpower necessary to complete critical tasks prior to an election.

The Board discussed liabilities that could put the County in a very precarious position legally if full and fair elections did not result.

June Bowers made a motion to copy the letter to the Governor, State Delegation, and the State Election Commission. Gretchen Campbell seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

With no new business, Sheree Chapman made a motion to adjourn. Herb Thompson Seconded the motion. All voted in favor.

You may download a printable copy of the minutes by clicking the download button below:

Online Registration Deadline 11:59PM Oct 8th

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Regular Board Meetings

The Board normally meets the first Tuesday of every month, except December, at 4:30 PM in the Board Room of the Pickens County Administration Facility or as otherwise determined by the Board. Meeting dates will be adjusted around holidays and election periods. Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson, acting Chairperson, or majority of the Board, but no special meetings shall be held unless all members and the public are notified 24 hours in advance of such meeting as stated in the SC Freedom of Information Act.

Each regular or special Board meeting will have public comment period. This is an opportunity for citizens to come before the Board with various issues. Citizens who wish to speak during the public comment period do not have to register or signup in advance. Each person is limited to 5-minutes of speaking time. Maximum total public comment time is 20 minutes.

Should any person, group, or organization want to speak about any matter or issue at a regular or special meeting of the Board and believe they may need more than 5-minutes of speaking time, such person, group, or organization should submit a written request to the Executive Director to place such matter on the agenda for the meeting by 12:00 Noon at least seven (7) days prior to the date set for such meeting. The request should state the specific matter or issue to be discussed, who will be speaking, and the amount of time anticipated to discuss the issue.

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